</s>0.9(1.8)(N.S.22-64) FBI Date: 2-18-69 Transmit the following in (Type in plaintext or code) Via Airtel (Priority) To: SAC, Memphis (44-1987) From: Director, FBI (44 -38861) MURKIN Information has been received that the trial of James Earl Ray has been postponed until April 7, 1969, to enable the defense attorneys to more fully prepare their case. In view of the new trial date, you are requested to determine and advise the Bureau, attention Identification Division of status of hearing involving Fingerprint Examiner George J. Bonebrake/set for April 11, 1969. J.B.R.T.B,L.D.L.L,D. SEARCHED INDIED and Bureau adunle and until 7/28. 9/4. 9d SERIALIZED 2-2-FLEED- FRU MEMPHIS Sent Via M Per 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail legal agreements, financial arrangements, and court proceedings related to James Earl Ray’s 1968–1969 trial for the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Key elements include contractual disputes over literary rights to Ray’s story, which were sold to author William Bradford Huie. Legal motions filed by Ray’s attorneys—Richard J. Ryan, J.B. Stoner, and Robert W. Hill, Jr.—allege conflicts of interest between Ray and his prior counsel, Arthur J. Hanes and Percy Forman, over exclusive publishing rights and financial incentives tied to the sale of Ray’s life story. These motions argue that Ray’s guilty plea was coerced due to contractual obligations with Huie, including royalties and payment terms outlined in agreements dated 1960 and 1968. A civil lawsuit filed by Ray in April 1969 seeks to void alleged contracts and block disclosure of case details, naming Percy Foreman as a defendant. The documents reference financial settlements involving sums such as $35,000,000, $40,000, and unspecified amounts, tied to the publication of a book titled *They Slew the Dreamer* by Doll Publishing Co., Inc., and articles in *Look* Magazine. Legal disputes also involve the transfer of rights between Ray, Hanes, and Huie, with unclear details about Porcy Forman’s role in assigning rights. The FBI tracked trial updates, including postponed proceedings until April 1969, while Shelby County Criminal Court handled Ray’s case.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (defendant accused of MLK’s murder; subject of literary rights agreements)  
- Arthur J. Hanes (attorney who transferred rights to Ray and faced legal disputes over contractual obligations)  
- William Bradford Huie (author who secured exclusive literary rights to Ray’s story)  
- Percy Forman (attorney for Ray accused of conflicts of interest and alleged misconduct during trial)  
- Richard J. Ryan, J.B. Stoner, Robert W. Hill, Jr. (Ray’s attorneys filing new trial motions)  
- Porcy Forman (involved in assigning rights to Huie; details unclear)  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis, Tennessee (central to Ray’s incarceration and legal proceedings)  
- Shelby County, Tennessee (court jurisdiction for Ray’s criminal case)  
- Nashville, Tennessee (location of Ray’s incarceration at Nashville State Penitentiary; site of 1969 civil lawsuit)  
- Houston, Texas (linked to attorney Porcy Forman’s practice)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (Hanes’ practice location)  

Key Events:  
- 1960 Amendatory Agreement: Transfer of literary rights and financial compensation between Hanes, Ray, and Huie.  
- Postponement of Ray’s trial until April 1969 due to legal motions and procedural delays.  
- Filing of an amended motion for a new trial in April 1969, citing conflicts of interest over literary rights and coerced guilty plea.  
- Civil lawsuit filed by Ray in April 1969 seeking injunction against disclosure of case details and voiding contracts with Foreman.  
- Execution of agreements granting Huie exclusive rights to publish material related to MLK’s assassination, including royalties and payment terms.  
- Negotiations for publication of *They Slew the Dreamer* by Doll Publishing Co., Inc., and articles in *Look* Magazine.  

Key Organizations:  
- FBI (tracked trial updates and legal proceedings)  
- Shelby County Criminal Court (handled Ray’s criminal case)  
- Cowles Communications, Inc. (publisher of *Look* Magazine; involved in literary rights agreements)  
- Dell Publishing Co., Inc. (publisher of *They Slew the Dreamer*)  
- Law Offices of Percy Foreman (involved in legal representation and financial arrangements for Ray)

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_89-01-part_2_of_3.pdf

Document Summary

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